23 Good practice: accident prevention in HORECA Introduction Why should an employer think about safety at the workplace? If you run an enterprise, you are obliged by law to maintain a safe and healthy workplace. Of course, beside the legal obligations most of the employers have a personal interest in guaranteeing the safety of their employees. Managing a hotel, restaurant or catering (HORECA) enterprise means doing a lot of tasks in little time. However, you should be pondering on the advantages of running a ‘safe’ enterprise. Try answering the following questions: If an accident happens: • how long would it take to replace the injured worker? • how long would it take until the new worker becomes familiar with the new task? • what will be the consequences if an injury results in permanent disability or, in extreme cases, death? And the most important question: • would it have been possible to avoid this accident by taking technical, administrative and personal protective measures?
Why should an employee think about safety at the workplace? In the fast-paced environment of the HORECA sector, the attitude that accidents are an inevitable part of the job is common. But injuries do not just lose businesses money, they also cause workers and their families pain and disruption to their lives. Working safely means investing in your own future. Safety and health in the workplace is the responsibility of both employers and employees.
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work - http://osha.europa.eu -1-